'Monsters University' lacks original's heart

BY MATTHEW LUCASCorrespondent

Published: Wednesday, June 26, 2013 at 12:02 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, June 26, 2013 at 12:02 p.m.

There was a time when having the name Pixar attached to a film meant that it would be something special, an event, something that stood out from the pack. Sadly, their last three efforts — "Cars 2," "Brave" and now "Monsters University" — have been weak efforts from a once venerable animation studio that made films like "Toy Story," "Wall-E" and "Up."

Facts

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• 'Monsters University' is directed by Dan Scanlon and features voices of Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi and Helen Mirren. It is rated G.• It is rated 2.5 stars out of four.• Now showing at Cinemark Tinseltown USA in Salisbury; the Grande 18, Carmike Wynnsong 12 and Carmike 10, all in Winston-Salem; Regal Palladium Stadium 14 in High Point; and The Grand 18 Four Seasons, GrandLuxe Theatres, Cinemark Brassfield Cinema 10, Carmike 18, Regal Greensboro Grande Stadium 16 and Carousel Cinemas, all in Greensboro.• Check out the movie news link under Entertainment at www.the-dispatch.com for show times and more information.

"Monsters University," a prequel to the 2001 film, "Monsters, Inc," is charming enough in its own right, but everything about it seems entirely superfluous. Unlike the "Toy Story" franchise, "Monsters University" doesn't establish its reason for existing, never branching beyond nostalgia and good will for the original characters. Each "Toy Story" film came to the table with new themes, the third film going so far as to take nostalgia and turn it into a deeply moving examination of growing up, moving on and confronting mortality. "Monsters University" seems to be saying "hey remember that other movie you liked so much? This is kind of like that, right?"

Well, to some degree it is. Billy Crystal and John Goodman are a hoot as always, playing younger versions of their characters, Mike and Sully, college misfits who must prove their worth to the ruthless Dean Hardscrabble (Helen Mirren) in order to stay in the scare program at Monsters University.

The problem is that this new film completely lacks the emotional punch of the original. Its fun and entertaining for most of its running time, but it never takes it to the next level the way that the original did so well. "Monsters Inc." snuck up with a subtle emotional sucker punch that "Monsters University" just lacks.

There are some nice character moments here as Mike and Sully develop their friendship from being rivals to becoming best friends, leading a fraternity of nobodies into a school-wide scare competition, but none of it is particularly memorable.

The most problematic part of the film, however, is the ending, which can't be discussed without giving it away, so if you don't want to know how it ends stop reading now. The film closes with Mike and Sully being expelled from Monsters University, before working their way into their dream job at Monsters, Inc. It's a strange message for a children's film — "hey kids, get kicked out of school and still become the top in your field at a prestigious institution!" One can't help but wonder how much that one was thought through, but it comes across as an awkward finale to an otherwise pleasant film.

Children will likely enjoy spending another two hours with the characters of "Monsters, Inc." But this go-round seems like a mere shadow of something much better.

For a studio so historically adept at delivering original narratives, "Monsters University" seems oddly inconsequential. It isn't bad, but it isn't particularly good either. It's a decent enough way to pass the time, but it pales in comparison to the modern classics that Pixar has delivered before. Coming from any other studio, this would have been fine. But we expect better from the folks at Pixar. Here's hoping they find a way to recapture that magic, and soon.

Matthew Lucas, a former Davidson County resident, studied theater and film studies at Appalachian State University. He now resides in Banner Elk and has a blog where he posts movie news, reviews and commentary at www.fromthefrontrow.net.

<p>There was a time when having the name Pixar attached to a film meant that it would be something special, an event, something that stood out from the pack. Sadly, their last three efforts — "Cars 2," "Brave" and now "Monsters University" — have been weak efforts from a once venerable animation studio that made films like "Toy Story," "Wall-E" and "Up."</p><p>"Monsters University," a prequel to the 2001 film, "Monsters, Inc," is charming enough in its own right, but everything about it seems entirely superfluous. Unlike the "Toy Story" franchise, "Monsters University" doesn't establish its reason for existing, never branching beyond nostalgia and good will for the original characters. Each "Toy Story" film came to the table with new themes, the third film going so far as to take nostalgia and turn it into a deeply moving examination of growing up, moving on and confronting mortality. "Monsters University" seems to be saying "hey remember that other movie you liked so much? This is kind of like that, right?"</p><p>Well, to some degree it is. Billy Crystal and John Goodman are a hoot as always, playing younger versions of their characters, Mike and Sully, college misfits who must prove their worth to the ruthless Dean Hardscrabble (Helen Mirren) in order to stay in the scare program at Monsters University. </p><p>The problem is that this new film completely lacks the emotional punch of the original. Its fun and entertaining for most of its running time, but it never takes it to the next level the way that the original did so well. "Monsters Inc." snuck up with a subtle emotional sucker punch that "Monsters University" just lacks.</p><p>There are some nice character moments here as Mike and Sully develop their friendship from being rivals to becoming best friends, leading a fraternity of nobodies into a school-wide scare competition, but none of it is particularly memorable. </p><p>The most problematic part of the film, however, is the ending, which can't be discussed without giving it away, so if you don't want to know how it ends stop reading now. The film closes with Mike and Sully being expelled from Monsters University, before working their way into their dream job at Monsters, Inc. It's a strange message for a children's film — "hey kids, get kicked out of school and still become the top in your field at a prestigious institution!" One can't help but wonder how much that one was thought through, but it comes across as an awkward finale to an otherwise pleasant film.</p><p>Children will likely enjoy spending another two hours with the characters of "Monsters, Inc." But this go-round seems like a mere shadow of something much better. </p><p>For a studio so historically adept at delivering original narratives, "Monsters University" seems oddly inconsequential. It isn't bad, but it isn't particularly good either. It's a decent enough way to pass the time, but it pales in comparison to the modern classics that Pixar has delivered before. Coming from any other studio, this would have been fine. But we expect better from the folks at Pixar. Here's hoping they find a way to recapture that magic, and soon.</p><p>Matthew Lucas, a former Davidson County resident, studied theater and film studies at Appalachian State University. He now resides in Banner Elk and has a blog where he posts movie news, reviews and commentary at www.fromthefrontrow.net.</p>